A 19-year-old with a vision and a passion for books and reading enrolled herself in the Nal’ibali online training programme, and has never looked back.
“It is free and available on WhatsApp. This programme aims to equip people with the necessary skills and knowledge to be FUNda leaders and literacy activists in their respective communities,” says Basetsana Sheane, a student at the University of the Free State (UFS), and who lives in Masilo, Theunissen.
FUNda leaders bring out the fun in ukufunda, which means “to learn”. Literacy activists inspire children to read and develop their love of reading. They also create an awareness regarding the importance of reading at an early age.
“I decided to enrol in the programme for the benefit of the children in my home town, particularly the section I live in, which is Lusaka Park. After being certified to be a Nal’ibali literacy activist and a FUNda leader,” says Sheane.
She initiated a reading club for learners aged 7 to 13 years. “What I like about this programme is that Nal’ibali has a website where they supply free reading materials and activities for the children. They have written stories in the 11 official languages of South Africa, audiobooks and newspaper supplements as well. Another thing that the training helps us to understand is that you can create a reading club from wherever you are with the little resources that you have,” says Sheane.
The reading club is called Tsebo Ke Lesedi, which tranlates to “Knowledge is Light” or “knowledge brings about enlightenment”.
“We currently have about 18 members of different ages. One of the Nal’ibali guidelines is that the ratio of a volunteer to a child is supposed to be 1:5, but so many parents were interested in bringing their kids to us and we could not deny them the opportunity. I am running it with the assistance of my friend, Mpho Matlolane. There is only the two of us at the moment,” she says.
Sheane saw the need to start this initiative because she always wished that she had someone who could have done the same for her when she was younger.
“I then realised that I actually have the power to be the leader I always wished I had. I know that readers are leaders because I have seen how much of an impact reading and storytelling has had in my life. Books have opened so many doors for me and took me to places I had never even dreamed of. I want the little kids in my community to know this from their age and use this to their advantage.
“As we are still in the spirit of starting afresh in this new year and as we kick off February, I would like to urge all the parents to normalise giving their young children the gift of books instead of always gifting them toys this year.
“Children outgrow their toys. Toys can be broken, toys get old and they cannot always be passed down from one generation to the other. However, books will forever remain the gift that keeps on giving. They can be passed down to the next generation and be circulated around.
“Let us work together in building a reading nation,” she says.
